FAYETTE, Iowa. - Concordia-St. Paul soccer (1-1) dropped their first match of the season, 0-3, to the McKendree Bearcats (2-0) on Sunday morning at Harms-Eischeid Stadium.
 
CSP will return to action next Friday to take on the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Sea Foam Stadium.
 
Following the match Head Coach Steve Bellis stated, "Today we came across a very strong and highly ranked side." Bellis added, "For long stretches in the game we struggled to compete. It's one we can learn from and bounce back quickly."
 
The Golden Bears struggled to find an offensive rhythm against a strong Bearcat defense that held them to only three shots in the game. Corynn Grabau and Jada Cannady led the Golden Bears offensive attack with both of them providing a shot on goal, while Amaya O'Hearn added a shot of her own. 
 
Goalie Jessi Jordan had a busy morning in the box, as MCK fired off 15 shots (eight on goal). The junior collected five saves in the complete 90 minute outing.
 
Senior captain Tori Miller was the lone defender for CSP to spend the entire 90 minutes on the pitch, while Belle Abruzzo finished with 80 minutes, the second most of her career.
 
The Bearcats controlled the opening 15 minutes of controlled action, as they outshot the Golden Bears, 5-0, with a pair on goal. After seven straight McKendree corners, Anna Stiffler was able to sneak the ball in the goal with an assist from Maggie Glecker in the 18th minute to take an early 1-0 lead.
 
In the 16th minute, following a Bearcat foul, Katie Anderson had an opportunity with a free kick near the goal, but her shot would veer left of the goal.
 
Following a penalty in the box by the Golden Bears in the 32nd minute, the Bearcats were able to net their second goal of the contest to take a 2-0 lead.
 
Concordia tested the Bearcats goalie with under two minutes remaining in the first half after freshman Lexi Pettit chipped a well-placed cross in the box before Abby Tucker was able to make a diving grab.
 
McKendree's strong offensive showing continued into the second half, as Maggie Glecker was able to sneak the ball into the goal in the 47th to extend the MCK lead to three goals.
 
The Golden Bears provided a pair of chances in the latter part of the second with Corynn Grabau adding the first shot of goal for the CSP in the 75th minute that Tucker was able to corral in the center of the goal. In the 81st minute, Jada Canndy found herself one-on-one with the goalie. However, Tucker was able to make an impressive save to keep the sophomore's shot from finding the net.
 
Both teams would trade possessions for the remainder of the contest, but McKendree would hang on to secure the 3-0 victory.